bonehead move
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
bonehead move
I think I need a new battery regardless as the bike was bought used and i cannot verify the age or reliability of the battery but it had to be jumped recently and i did do so from my truck....with the truck running. just did it out of habit liked jumping a car and didn't think to leave it off. anyway afterwards the bike has run fine since. i keep it on a trickle charger now and the voltage stays good while riding. curious if i had done some sort of damage when jumping from a running vehicle how quickly would it be apparent and what sorts of issues would it potentially have caused?
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
I know in my lifetime I have done it and never had issue, but since then ive read it shouldn't be done and wasn't thinking this last time and did it out of habit. now after reading how it can jack up the bike I am just second guessing and paranoid
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
A 12 volt battery is 12.8 volts or so at full charge. The alternator puts out about 14.9 or so. That charges battery.
Be it car, bike...
Problem about jumping a bike is if the battery is junk, you have it running and your bikes charge system is working very hard to charge. No problem if battery is good.
Get your battery charged good on maintance charger. Pull it (you will insure connection going back plus these small batteries tend to shake and get loose.)
Take it to AutoZone and with battery OUT, have them check it . Be sure they set their machine at proper low amperage .(probably around 375 CCA). Should be on battery.
Then you will know what you have. If you can find a date and it is 4 years old. Replace it.
I have had numerous small batteries check and most of the time they error saying it is good. Think most equipment is junk or not very reliable on small batteries
Be it car, bike...
Problem about jumping a bike is if the battery is junk, you have it running and your bikes charge system is working very hard to charge. No problem if battery is good.
Get your battery charged good on maintance charger. Pull it (you will insure connection going back plus these small batteries tend to shake and get loose.)
Take it to AutoZone and with battery OUT, have them check it . Be sure they set their machine at proper low amperage .(probably around 375 CCA). Should be on battery.
Then you will know what you have. If you can find a date and it is 4 years old. Replace it.
I have had numerous small batteries check and most of the time they error saying it is good. Think most equipment is junk or not very reliable on small batteries
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 505
From: Illinois
Not sure why you would expect or anticipate any damage. It is not as if voltage will double. Any damage would have occurred if you had connected the jumper cables backwards, thus reversing polarity. Good luck finding a battery. I've seen a few posts here about battery recommendations and places where you can get one without losing your shirt.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 232
From: Ohio
The reason you shouldn't jump another vehicle with yours running is that if the dead vehicle has a problem, it can damage the good vehicle. Always jump start with the good vehicle shut off. I too, do not know why you think there may have been damage.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
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From: Prior Lake, MN
The danger lies in the possibility, however remote, that the running vehicle has a bad voltage regulator or for some other reason, sends a voltage spike to your bike. That could cause problems.
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Great State of Texas
Originally Posted by ohioflhs
The reason you shouldn't jump another vehicle with yours running is that if the dead vehicle has a problem, it can damage the good vehicle. Always jump start with the good vehicle shut off. I too, do not know why you think there may have been damage.
My uncle, a lifetime mechanic always instructed me to be safe and have both vehicles off when hooking up the cables. Once connected, start the jump vehicle and let it run a minute or two before turning the ignition on the dead vehicle. From what I've witnessed, most don't wait, everyone is in a hurry. Also, most connect all cable ends to both batteries. I was taught to connect the negative to an unpainted ground under the hood and to always use good heavy gauge cables.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,982
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From: Philadelphia, PA
I totally agree with cbyway. I was a auto mechanic and never had any issues when jumping any vehicle as long as the cables are on correct. Most folks buy cheap jumper cables which take time to exchange the charge from the good vehicle to the dead vehicle. Invest in a good, heavy duty set of cables or jump box.